State Manager - California

Why Sazerac?

• Innovative and Forward-Thinking: Join a company that values innovation and excellence and is driving the future of the beverage industry.
• Rich Tradition: Join a team with a strong heritage of craftsmanship and quality, creating memorable experiences for our customers.
• Collaborative Environment: Work in an inclusive, collaborative atmosphere where your ideas and expertise are valued.
• Career Growth: Benefit from continuous learning opportunities and career development programs to advance your career.

This State Manager role owns the growth and performance of Sazerac’s California market, one of the most complex and the highest-volume market for Sazerac. You’ll serve as the primary lead to our fragmented distributor network, setting clear priorities, driving performance-based accountability, and translating brand strategy into execution across on- and off-premise independent channels. This is a high-visibility leadership role where you’ll influence volume, distribution, pricing, profitability, and market execution while building strong partnerships across the three-tier system. If you know how to lead through complexity, mobilize partners, and turn strategy into results, this role gives you significant ownership of the market.

What You’ll Do

• Own California market performance across all metrics including volume, distribution and KPI goals and holding distributor partners accountable to results
• Lead distributor strategy and execution, aligning resources and programs to Sazerac’s highest-priority brands, customers, and channels
• Identify and act on growth opportunities across brand categories and own pricing, distribution, programming and innovation planning.
• Use various data sources to drive decisions, monitor performance, competitive activity, consumer trends, and emerging opportunities
• Build and influence key customer and distributor relationships, ensuring strong execution market-wide

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field
• 5+ years of sales and distributor management experience within beverage alcohol, non-alcoholic beverage, or CPG
• Demonstrated experience working with both supplier and/or distributor organizations, with a strong understanding of DSD and three-tier systems
• Proven ability to lead large, complex markets and mobilize distributor or field sales teams against multiple business priorities and KPIs
• Demonstrated track record of leading teams, developing talent, and driving business results
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, including experience with budgeting, forecasting, pricing, and performance analysis
• Valid driver’s license, willingness to travel throughout California, and ability to work non-traditional hours as needed

Preferred

• Experience managing national or key accounts across on- and off-premise channels
• Experience in brand marketing, trade marketing, or commercial strategy
• Experience managing a large, highly competitive market within a national supplier or distributor organization